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Supply Chain

Forest

Forests are the source of all the products in our industry supply chain. The UK industry promotes and enforces only the use of products from legal and sustainably managed forests, with over 90% of UK supply coming from European or home-grown sources.

FOREST

According to the FAO Statistics (2011), Europe’s forests are growing by 0.8 million hectares a year. In the last 20 years, they have grown by 16 million hectares – an area roughly twice the size of Ireland [1].

The woodland area in the United Kingdom is 3.1 million hectares (2014): of these 1.4 million hectares (44%) are independently certified as sustainably managed. 13 thousand hectares of new woodland were created in the UK in 2013-14 [2].

Responsible forest management is helping this process. In managed European forests there are five trees planted for each one harvested, making timber the only truly renewable mainstream building material [3].

Moreover, the expansion of forested land and the planting of more trees have a positive impact both on the economy and the community development. These solutions increase biodiversity, lower carbon dioxide levels contributing to reduce the mortality rate as a result of poor air quality [4].

FOREST

According to the FAO Statistics (2011), Europe’s forests are growing by 0.8 million hectares a year. In the last 20 years, they have grown by 16 million hectares – an area roughly twice the size of Ireland [1].

The woodland area in the United Kingdom is 3.1 million hectares (2014): of these 1.4 million hectares (44%) are independently certified as sustainably managed. 13 thousand hectares of new woodland were created in the UK in 2013-14 [2].

Responsible forest management is helping this process. In managed European forests there are five trees planted for each one harvested, making timber the only truly renewable mainstream building material [3].

Moreover, the expansion of forested land and the planting of more trees have a positive impact both on the economy and the community development. These solutions increase biodiversity, lower carbon dioxide levels contributing to reduce the mortality rate as a result of poor air quality [4].

Sawmills

Sawmills are the first industrial stage of timber production and a vital primary manufacturing sector. The sector has an investment program of over £100 million in the UK over the coming years to increase capacity.

SAWMILLS

Customers include international contractors and landscaping companies, as well as stockists, wholesalers, timber traders, agricultural merchants, specifiers and panel and pallet manufacturers.

According to the latest National Statistics on UK Wood Production and Trade, in 2014 the 174 active sawmills in the UK consumed a total of 6.9 million green tonnes of softwood, a 5% increase from 2013 [1].

A further 0.1 million green tonnes of hardwood were consumed by UK sawmills in 2014. Most of the logs, 6.7 million green tonnes softwood and 0.1 million green tonnes hardwood, were UK-grown [2].

A total of 3.7 million cubic metres of sawnwood was produced in the UK in 2014, a 5% increase from 2013 [3].

SAWMILLS

Customers include international contractors and landscaping companies, as well as stockists, wholesalers, timber traders, agricultural merchants, specifiers and panel and pallet manufacturers.

According to the latest National Statistics on UK Wood Production and Trade, in 2014 the 174 active sawmills in the UK consumed a total of 6.9 million green tonnes of softwood, a 5% increase from 2013 [1].

A further 0.1 million green tonnes of hardwood were consumed by UK sawmills in 2014. Most of the logs, 6.7 million green tonnes softwood and 0.1 million green tonnes hardwood, were UK-grown [2].

A total of 3.7 million cubic metres of sawnwood was produced in the UK in 2014, a 5% increase from 2013 [3].

Packaging & pallets

PALLETS & PACKAGING

Packaging and pallets industry – including corrugated packaging - is vital to protect goods whilst in transit, storage and distribution. It prevents waste through breakage, spoilage and contamination and extends product shelf life.

Packaging also provides customers with information about the product and contributes substantially to brand differentiation. According to the Packaging Federation, the industry employs around 85,000 people in the UK – representing 3% of the UK manufacturing industry workforce and generating a turnover of £11 Billion [1]

Figures regarding wooden pallets are similarly impressive. Every year over 1.5 billion pallets are produced worldwide, using approximately 60 million cubic metres of timber. In Europe we produce around 350 million pallets and packing cases, using almost 20 million cubic metres of timber a year – a sizeable proportion of Europe’s total annual production of around 100 million cubic metres of sawn timber [2].

Wooden pallets are carefully designed to ensure a performance that protects the investment on freight, therefore they respect specific and strict quality standards [3].

PALLETS & PACKAGING

Packaging and pallets industry – including corrugated packaging - is vital to protect goods whilst in transit, storage and distribution. It prevents waste through breakage, spoilage and contamination and extends product shelf life.

Packaging also provides customers with information about the product and contributes substantially to brand differentiation. According to the Packaging Federation, the industry employs around 85,000 people in the UK – representing 3% of the UK manufacturing industry workforce and generating a turnover of £11 Billion [1]

Figures regarding wooden pallets are similarly impressive. Every year over 1.5 billion pallets are produced worldwide, using approximately 60 million cubic metres of timber. In Europe we produce around 350 million pallets and packing cases, using almost 20 million cubic metres of timber a year – a sizeable proportion of Europe’s total annual production of around 100 million cubic metres of sawn timber [2].

Wooden pallets are carefully designed to ensure a performance that protects the investment on freight, therefore they respect specific and strict quality standards [3].

Companies Involved

Transport

Transport via road, rail and shipping, is a vital component of this globalised industry. The industry is working to reduce its environmental impact and provide the most efficient cost-effective service.

TRANSPORT

More than half of the timber used in the UK is imported, for a total volume of 7.81 million cubic metres In 2013, 4,756,000 cubic metres of softwood, 423,000 cubic metres of hardwood and 2,629,000 of panel products were introduced onto the British market.

Over 47% of the timber and panel products consumed were imported from Europe and the remaining imports were from Asia, Central & South America, North America and Africa.

On the other hand, the UK exports and re-exports 0.74 million cubic metres of timber and panel products at a value of over £157million [1].

These figures help to frame the size of Timber Industry, in which transports (featuring railways, roads, shipping) play a key-role. To give you an idea, each year in the UK, around 350,000 lorry-loads of grown logs are transported from British forests for processing in sawmills, pulp and paper mills and in wood energy plants [2].

TRANSPORT

More than half of the timber used in the UK is imported, for a total volume of 7.81 million cubic metres In 2013, 4,756,000 cubic metres of softwood, 423,000 cubic metres of hardwood and 2,629,000 of panel products were introduced onto the British market.

Over 47% of the timber and panel products consumed were imported from Europe and the remaining imports were from Asia, Central & South America, North America and Africa.

On the other hand, the UK exports and re-exports 0.74 million cubic metres of timber and panel products at a value of over £157million [1].

These figures help to frame the size of Timber Industry, in which transports (featuring railways, roads, shipping) play a key-role. To give you an idea, each year in the UK, around 350,000 lorry-loads of grown logs are transported from British forests for processing in sawmills, pulp and paper mills and in wood energy plants [2].

PROCESSING

From the sawmills logs are refined into a range of bespoke products that will eventually enter the joinery and DIY trades or become components of engineered timber products and systems. These include cross laminated timber, glulam beams, timber frame housing or common sized planks, panel products, windows and doors, flooring, cladding, decking or furniture.

According to 2010 Wrap report, the joinery industry in the UK is estimated to use between 250-400,000 cubic metres (m3 ) of timber annually. Around 3000 joinery companies operate in the UK; the majority of which are small or medium sized enterprises [1].

Sawn softwood tends to be supplied in fixed lengths, whilst sawn hardwood is supplied in random lengths, due to the greater variation in tree height.

70% of sawn softwood supplied to the UK is less than 3.9m in length, typically between 2.7 and 3.9m, but can go up to 5.4m [2]. Engineered timber can be made available to specific dimensions, enhancing flexible and creative construction plans.

PROCESSING

From the sawmills logs are refined into a range of bespoke products that will eventually enter the joinery and DIY trades or become components of engineered timber products and systems. These include cross laminated timber, glulam beams, timber frame housing or common sized planks, panel products, windows and doors, flooring, cladding, decking or furniture.

According to 2010 Wrap report, the joinery industry in the UK is estimated to use between 250-400,000 cubic metres (m3 ) of timber annually. Around 3000 joinery companies operate in the UK; the majority of which are small or medium sized enterprises [1].

Sawn softwood tends to be supplied in fixed lengths, whilst sawn hardwood is supplied in random lengths, due to the greater variation in tree height.

70% of sawn softwood supplied to the UK is less than 3.9m in length, typically between 2.7 and 3.9m, but can go up to 5.4m [2]. Engineered timber can be made available to specific dimensions, enhancing flexible and creative construction plans.

Companies Involved

Merchant

Timber merchants are the single most efficient route-to-market from kiln, sawmill or factory to wherever they are used. Merchants act as local consolidation depots and provide the ‘last mile’ link in the supply chain.

MERCHANT

UK can rely on a strong network of timber and builders merchants distributing and selling a comprehensive range of finished processed products. These encompass a gamut of timber species, sizes and types spanning temperate softwoods to tropical hardwoods and modified timber such as Accoya and Thermowood, plus the many options available for the flooring and joinery trades.

In 2014 the total volume of timber and panel products consumption in the UK rose 10% in comparison to 2014. It was 15.87 million m3, compared to 14.45 million m3 in 2013. Around 66% of the timber circulating in the UK is imported: most of it from Europe with Scandinavia and the Baltic countries leading the way [1].

Roughly 90% of timber used in the UK comes from certified sustainable sources [2]. Since 2013, timber suppliers, distributors and importers must respect the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) requiring those companies placing wood products on the EU market to assess the risk of whether those products may be illegal and, where perils are identified, to mitigate them.

MERCHANT

UK can rely on a strong network of timber and builders merchants distributing and selling a comprehensive range of finished processed products. These encompass a gamut of timber species, sizes and types spanning temperate softwoods to tropical hardwoods and modified timber such as Accoya and Thermowood, plus the many options available for the flooring and joinery trades.

In 2014 the total volume of timber and panel products consumption in the UK rose 10% in comparison to 2014. It was 15.87 million m3, compared to 14.45 million m3 in 2013. Around 66% of the timber circulating in the UK is imported: most of it from Europe with Scandinavia and the Baltic countries leading the way [1].

Roughly 90% of timber used in the UK comes from certified sustainable sources [2]. Since 2013, timber suppliers, distributors and importers must respect the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) requiring those companies placing wood products on the EU market to assess the risk of whether those products may be illegal and, where perils are identified, to mitigate them.

Companies Involved

Manufacturer

The timber industry is at the heart of the UK manufacturing. From doors to floors, walls, staircases, furniture, and through to finished buildings, this is one of the most dynamic and creative industries in the British economy.

MANUFACTURER

UK furniture and furnishings manufacturing is a substantial industry. Accordingto 2014 Government statistics it contributes £10.1 billion to the country’s GDP, which equates to 1.9% of manufacturing output, and employs 106,000 people within 7,969 companies. In addition to this, the industry employs 136,000 in specialist furniture and furnishings retail and wholesale, 3,000 in repair, 10,000 in leasing and a proportion of the 53,000 registered specialist designers. [1]

The industry has a high proportion of micro and small to medium size businesses. Looking solely at furniture and bed manufacturing (i.e. excluding furnishings, retail, repair, design etc), only 265 companies report turnovers in excess of £5 million and 83% of companies turn over less than £1m per year with 58% turning over less than £250,000. This pattern is reflected in employment figures with 78% of companies employing less than ten people, and only 40 companies employing more than 250. [2]

The 2014 home furniture market (again excluding furnishings, retail, repair and design) was £12.2 billion (manufacturer selling price). UK furniture and bed manufacturing turnover has increased since 2012, reaching £8.3 billion in 2014. Over the same period, total imports rose to £4.8 billion whilst exports rose from a 2012 level of £825 million to £930 million. [3]

UK manufacturing sector is tightly connected with the Timber industry. Currently it is estimated that over 5000 woodworking firms operated in the UK producing a turnover of ca £3.8 billion.

In 2013, UK production of all timber and panel products reached 6.67 million m3. [4] Floors, staircases, doors, joinery, windows are some examples of the huge range of wood working products British consumers can find on the market.

Woodworking businesses vary from small family companies, to large corporations. Particularly relevant is the number of SMEs, representing the backbone of UK economy.

One of the most flexible and common timber material used in the wood manufacturing sector is the manufactured board. Developed mainly for industrial production and available in many thicknesses, manufactured boards can be employed in construction, furniture, interior panelling, bed and kitchen furniture.

MANUFACTURER

UK furniture and furnishings manufacturing is a substantial industry. Accordingto 2014 Government statistics it contributes £10.1 billion to the country’s GDP, which equates to 1.9% of manufacturing output, and employs 106,000 people within 7,969 companies. In addition to this, the industry employs 136,000 in specialist furniture and furnishings retail and wholesale, 3,000 in repair, 10,000 in leasing and a proportion of the 53,000 registered specialist designers. [1]

The industry has a high proportion of micro and small to medium size businesses. Looking solely at furniture and bed manufacturing (i.e. excluding furnishings, retail, repair, design etc), only 265 companies report turnovers in excess of £5 million and 83% of companies turn over less than £1m per year with 58% turning over less than £250,000. This pattern is reflected in employment figures with 78% of companies employing less than ten people, and only 40 companies employing more than 250. [2]

The 2014 home furniture market (again excluding furnishings, retail, repair and design) was £12.2 billion (manufacturer selling price). UK furniture and bed manufacturing turnover has increased since 2012, reaching £8.3 billion in 2014. Over the same period, total imports rose to £4.8 billion whilst exports rose from a 2012 level of £825 million to £930 million. [3]

UK manufacturing sector is tightly connected with the Timber industry. Currently it is estimated that over 5000 woodworking firms operated in the UK producing a turnover of ca £3.8 billion.

In 2013, UK production of all timber and panel products reached 6.67 million m3. [4] Floors, staircases, doors, joinery, windows are some examples of the huge range of wood working products British consumers can find on the market.

Woodworking businesses vary from small family companies, to large corporations. Particularly relevant is the number of SMEs, representing the backbone of UK economy.

One of the most flexible and common timber material used in the wood manufacturing sector is the manufactured board. Developed mainly for industrial production and available in many thicknesses, manufactured boards can be employed in construction, furniture, interior panelling, bed and kitchen furniture.

Companies Involved

Specifier

Timber is changing the face of architecture and design throughout the world. The industry aims to ensure that all architects, designers, contractors and other specifiers have all the information they need to make the right choice for their projects and to inspire their next designs.

SPECIFIER

Timber systems provide a wide range of high quality offsite solutions to housing issues. New timber-based building projects can cut months off traditional build times, saving money in onsite costs. Timber is the perfect material for periods of high demand and more and more specifiers consider it a product of first choice.

The potential for timber-based building products to create a new generation of low-carbon energy efficient homes is huge. Suppliers are involved at the core of building design, shaping the best quality and progressive solutions, from the structural elements to refurbished interiors to furniture, floors, walls, staircases, roofs, doors and windows.

A research by Heriot Watt University for the Wood Window Alliance in 2013, quantified the significant carbon savings from the use of PVC-U (roughly 1.5 tonnes CO2 per home) – the equivalent of driving over 5,000 miles in a small family car [1]. In that sense, availability and affordability of timber housing stock, along with innovative design for the private sector, is fundamental.

SPECIFIER

Timber systems provide a wide range of high quality offsite solutions to housing issues. New timber-based building projects can cut months off traditional build times, saving money in onsite costs. Timber is the perfect material for periods of high demand and more and more specifiers consider it a product of first choice.

The potential for timber-based building products to create a new generation of low-carbon energy efficient homes is huge. Suppliers are involved at the core of building design, shaping the best quality and progressive solutions, from the structural elements to refurbished interiors to furniture, floors, walls, staircases, roofs, doors and windows.

A research by Heriot Watt University for the Wood Window Alliance in 2013, quantified the significant carbon savings from the use of PVC-U (roughly 1.5 tonnes CO2 per home) – the equivalent of driving over 5,000 miles in a small family car [1]. In that sense, availability and affordability of timber housing stock, along with innovative design for the private sector, is fundamental.

Companies Involved

Construction

Fully renewable, durable and flexible, timber is the leading material for sustainable construction. The industry is a major building-sector employer with wood related trades accounting for 10% of all UK construction jobs.

CONSTRUCTION

Timber frame is one of the oldest forms of construction. Used since the Prehistory, nowadays it enhances complex and outstanding buildings. Ten-storey Forte Apartments in Melbourne and the UK’ nine-story Stadthaus offer amazing samples of the possibilities in building with CLT (Cross Laminated Timber).

Based on factory-made structural elements that can be rapidly assembled and erected on site, modern timber frame structures are precision-engineered, strong and durable, but at the same time more flexible and lighter compared to other construction materials. They also offer a high level of thermal insulation, reducing costs and conserving energy.

Recent studies show that building with timber could have a beneficial impact on the environment since it would store carbon within the construction, whilst also creating a greater economic demand for wood. That would lead to more trees being planted, and more CO2 absorbed.

Concerning the benefits on the British Economy, timber frame is estimated to contribute for around a quarter of new homes in the UK, with over 75% of self-builders using the product as their primary build method [1]. Similarly wood-related trades account for 10% of all UK construction jobs [2].

CONSTRUCTION

Timber frame is one of the oldest forms of construction. Used since the Prehistory, nowadays it enhances complex and outstanding buildings. Ten-storey Forte Apartments in Melbourne and the UK’ nine-story Stadthaus offer amazing samples of the possibilities in building with CLT (Cross Laminated Timber).

Based on factory-made structural elements that can be rapidly assembled and erected on site, modern timber frame structures are precision-engineered, strong and durable, but at the same time more flexible and lighter compared to other construction materials. They also offer a high level of thermal insulation, reducing costs and conserving energy.

Recent studies show that building with timber could have a beneficial impact on the environment since it would store carbon within the construction, whilst also creating a greater economic demand for wood. That would lead to more trees being planted, and more CO2 absorbed.

Concerning the benefits on the British Economy, timber frame is estimated to contribute for around a quarter of new homes in the UK, with over 75% of self-builders using the product as their primary build method [1]. Similarly wood-related trades account for 10% of all UK construction jobs [2].

PAPER

Paper comes in many formats – from newspapers to banknotes, from tissues to books – made from a natural, renewable and sustainable resource, boasting the highest recycle rate of any other material in the UK.

Over 70% of the fibres used to make paper in the UK come from paper collecting from recycling. The rest originates from virgin wood fibre from trees grown in sustainably managed and certified forest, mainly in the UK and Europe. Significantly paper fibres can be recycled up to about 7 times [2].

The UK paper industry is highly efficient, modern, innovative and clean. Between 1990 and 2010, thanks to investment in lower carbon energy, annual emissions of fossil carbon coming from paper production facilities, have been reduced by 1,6m tonnes [3].

[1] Confederation of Paper Industries, Paper: Myths and Facts, 2013

[2] Confederation of Paper Industries, Paper: Myths and Facts, 2013

[3] Confederation of Paper Industries, Paper: Myths and Facts, 2013

PAPER

Paper comes in many formats – from newspapers to banknotes, from tissues to books – made from a natural, renewable and sustainable resource, boasting the highest recycle rate of any other material in the UK.

Over 70% of the fibres used to make paper in the UK come from paper collecting from recycling. The rest originates from virgin wood fibre from trees grown in sustainably managed and certified forest, mainly in the UK and Europe. Significantly paper fibres can be recycled up to about 7 times [2].

The UK paper industry is highly efficient, modern, innovative and clean. Between 1990 and 2010, thanks to investment in lower carbon energy, annual emissions of fossil carbon coming from paper production facilities, have been reduced by 1,6m tonnes [3].

[1] Confederation of Paper Industries, Paper: Myths and Facts, 2013

[2] Confederation of Paper Industries, Paper: Myths and Facts, 2013

[3] Confederation of Paper Industries, Paper: Myths and Facts, 2013

Companies Involved

End of life

Timber can be reused, recycled and finally used as low-carbon fuel for energy recovery, offering an amazing range of opportunities to develop a low carbon approach to sustainable and long-lasting growth.

END OF LIFE

Timber can be readily reused and recycled and, increasingly, used as a low-carbon fuel. Timber products provide low-carbon benefits throughout their life-cycle with none of the subsidies or incentives associated with other low-carbon sectors.

The Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) has calculated that almost 2.8 million tonnes (60%) of the UK’s waste wood is getting recycled. This figure, along with the number of companies involved, is expected to rise in the next few years.

Uses for recycled waste wood include traditional feedstock for the panel board industry, animal beddings, equestrian and landscaping surfaces, play areas and filter beds. Notably biomass is gradually overtaking panel board as the main end user of recycled woodchip. According to WRA, in 2012, 1.25 million tonnes of waste wood was sent to biomass plants to generate energy last year.

Several major power stations already use recycled wood as part of their fuel source. Similarly, increasing numbers of small-scale biomass boilers have being installed in hospitals, schools, libraries, factories and farms.

END OF LIFE

Timber can be readily reused and recycled and, increasingly, used as a low-carbon fuel. Timber products provide low-carbon benefits throughout their life-cycle with none of the subsidies or incentives associated with other low-carbon sectors.

The Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) has calculated that almost 2.8 million tonnes (60%) of the UK’s waste wood is getting recycled. This figure, along with the number of companies involved, is expected to rise in the next few years.

Uses for recycled waste wood include traditional feedstock for the panel board industry, animal beddings, equestrian and landscaping surfaces, play areas and filter beds. Notably biomass is gradually overtaking panel board as the main end user of recycled woodchip. According to WRA, in 2012, 1.25 million tonnes of waste wood was sent to biomass plants to generate energy last year.

Several major power stations already use recycled wood as part of their fuel source. Similarly, increasing numbers of small-scale biomass boilers have being installed in hospitals, schools, libraries, factories and farms.

Companies Involved

Research

Research and development are key attributes to drive sustainable growth in the supply chain. The CTI will work with key research partners such as TRADA, BRE, Napier University and others in the UK and abroad, to ensure the industry is braced for future market developments.

RESEARCH

Across the UK, Research institutes, organisations and universities are paving the way for further development of Timber products. At academic level, most of the activities are focused on understanding the material properties of wood and how these affect its performance in different uses.

As underlined by the Centre for Wood Science and Technology in Edinburgh, “the Wood Cell Wall represents a highly complex geometrical/chemical structure and many areas remain poorly understood; despite all of the properties of timber being able to be traced back to how the cell wall responds to stresses and stimuli”.

Similarly, thermal insulation for timber frame construction has been refined combining relatively slender thickness and high performance. Reflective breather membranes have also been introduced to effectively block infrared radiation, enhancing the thermal performance of the airspace.

RESEARCH

Across the UK, Research institutes, organisations and universities are paving the way for further development of Timber products. At academic level, most of the activities are focused on understanding the material properties of wood and how these affect its performance in different uses.

As underlined by the Centre for Wood Science and Technology in Edinburgh, “the Wood Cell Wall represents a highly complex geometrical/chemical structure and many areas remain poorly understood; despite all of the properties of timber being able to be traced back to how the cell wall responds to stresses and stimuli”.

Similarly, thermal insulation for timber frame construction has been refined combining relatively slender thickness and high performance. Reflective breather membranes have also been introduced to effectively block infrared radiation, enhancing the thermal performance of the airspace.